Central University of Kerala

About: Central University of Kerala is a education organization based out in Kāsaragod, India. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Catalysis. The organization has 556 authors who have published 881 publications receiving 7474 citations.

Mass distributions of fission fragments from nuclei populated by multinucleon transfer or incomplete fusion channels in Li 6 , 7 + U 238 reactions

Abstract: The multinucleon transfer reaction or incomplete fusion reaction (ICF) is a powerful tool to study fission of exotic nuclei that cannot be formed by stable heavy-ion fusion reactions. In the present work, mass distributions of fission fragments (FFs) from fissioning nuclei $^{241,242,243,244}\mathrm{Pu}$ and $^{240,241}\mathrm{Np}$ populated in multinucleon transfer or ICF reactions on $^{6,7}\mathrm{Li}+^{238}\mathrm{U}$ systems have been studied. Among these, $^{244}\mathrm{Pu},\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}^{243}\mathrm{Pu}$, and $^{241}\mathrm{Np}$ are formed by the capture of unstable nuclei $^{6}\mathrm{He},\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}^{5}\mathrm{He}$, and $t$, respectively, by the target $^{238}\mathrm{U}$. Identification of fissioning nuclei and determination of excitation energies have been performed by finding the details of the outgoing projectile-like fragments detected in coincidence with both the fission fragments on an event-by-event basis. The measurements of FF mass distributions and FF folding angle distributions of different ICF channels confirm that these channels are the prime factors for the modifications in the experimental ratio of asymmetric to symmetric fission yields and the width of folding angle distributions for inclusive fission reported earlier on the same reactions. Comparison among the ratio of asymmetric to symmetric fission yields from $^{241,242,243,244}\mathrm{Pu}$ and $^{240,241}\mathrm{Np}$ nuclei formed in the present reactions, available literature data, and the theoretical calculations using gef code shows that the shell correction for symmetric fission channels plays an important role in describing the experimental mass distribution.

Current Trends in Experimental and Computational Approaches to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance.

Abstract: A multitude of factors, such as drug misuse, lack of strong regulatory measures, improper sewage disposal, and low-quality medicine and medications, have been attributed to the emergence of drug resistant microbes. The emergence and outbreaks of multidrug resistance to last-line antibiotics has become quite common. This is further fueled by the slow rate of drug development and the lack of effective resistome surveillance systems. In this review, we provide insights into the recent advances made in computational approaches for the surveillance of antibiotic resistomes, as well as experimental formulation of combinatorial drugs. We explore the multiple roles of antibiotics in nature and the current status of combinatorial and adjuvant-based antibiotic treatments with nanoparticles, phytochemical, and other non-antibiotics based on synergetic effects. Furthermore, advancements in machine learning algorithms could also be applied to combat the spread of antibiotic resistance. Development of resistance to new antibiotics is quite rapid. Hence, we review the recent literature on discoveries of novel antibiotic resistant genes though shotgun and expression-based metagenomics. To decelerate the spread of antibiotic resistant genes, surveillance of the resistome is of utmost importance. Therefore, we discuss integrative applications of whole-genome sequencing and metagenomics together with machine learning models as a means for state-of-the-art surveillance of the antibiotic resistome. We further explore the interactions and negative effects between antibiotics and microbiomes upon drug administration.

Worldwide Genetic Resources of Duckweed: Stock Collections

Abstract: Duckweeds are aquatic monocotyledonous plants that include the smallest and the fastest growing angiosperms known till date. The family Lemnaceae presently includes 36 accepted species of duckweeds categorized into five genera. Although having the capacity to flower, these unique aquatic plants usually propagate by vegetative means producing clones. It has already been known through various reports that duckweed plants although belonging to the same species collected from different geographical locations have variations not only in their genetic properties but also in their physiological properties, which is important for many of the practical applications of this plant family. Hence, collection and maintenance of different clones of the same species from different locations are important. The international duckweed clonal collections from around the world help the duckweed community by maintaining the clones, characterizing their species identity and providing the required genetic resources to the users for research and application purposes.